Published on 02:17 PM, March 21, 2023

Afif -Shoriful excluded for third ODI against Ireland

Bangladesh all-rounder Afif Hossain during a press conference in Rajkot today. Photo: Ekush Tapader

Afif Hossain has left the team hotel in Sylhet after being excluded from squad for the ODI series against Ireland.

"Yes he's headed back to Dhaka. The squad has been reduced to 14 members from 15," he said. Afif had been struggling for runs lately. Asked on reasons behind the decision, he said: "No reason. His chances of being in the eleven are slim.

"We wanted to have a 14 member squad initially. Since we don't have injury concerns, he has been sent back to play there, " he said. 

Afif will return to Dhaka to play the Dhaka Premier League. Left arm seamer Shoriful Islam who did not feature in the first two ODIs was also left out from the final ODI squad. 

Bangladesh are leading the three match series against Ireland 1-0 where the third and final game will take place on Thursday in Sylhet.

Bangladesh Squad for the third ODI: 

Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Rony Talukdar